Posted on 10/29/2004 5:44:14 AM PDT by eternalperspective
During the Florida debacle of the 2000 election, I found myself wanting candidate Bush to allow the Florida recount just to stop the bleeding and hatred and mistrust. My concern wasn't with placating the political parties - but rather, to prevent Joe six-pack from loosing faith in the election process. I didn't want the common man to becoming as cynical as a lawyer. I reasoned that if there were monitors from both sides, and the votes were counted, if Bush lost, at least he would have stopped the tearing and help diminish distrust and perhaps prevent a legal challenge (revenge) pathology in future elections. After the Supreme Court stopped the process, several news organizations did the counting and found that George Bush was the legitimate winner. But all that bad blood had raised the partisan bar to new heights, and the distrust and revenge pathology is now mainstream Democrat thinking. The age of reason is over - now most of us think like lawyers. Even the conservative talk show hosts I respect purposely slant the news, making ultimate statements, when a nuanced comment would be more illuminating. That's the problem- we're not after the truth - we want to win the election no mater what it costs. I know the argument for hitting hard and fast. (After all- the other guy isn't going to pull any punches) I guess I long for a kindler, gentler age when truth was more than talking points, and civility was more than just good manners.
" I guess I long for a kindler, gentler age when truth was more than talking points, and civility was more than just good manners."
The campaigns of the past were far more acrimonious. Take heart though. America even managed to hold elections during the worst time of our history: The Civil War.
This is not that time.
Let me guess, George Bush is a divider because he won't do as democrats tell him to do.
No.
Let's look at this from the opposite perspective. Al Gore could have stopped this and not been the sore loser he has become. If Al Gore would have accepted the results just like Richard Nixon did in 1960 everything would have been fine. It was Gore who caused this mess not President Bush. Stop blaming President Bush he won by the rules it was the RATS sho couldn't accept it.
I find it amusing that one candidate is denigrated for doing anything he can to get elected, so that he can do what he thinks is necessary to fight terrorism, while the other candidate is praised for doing whatever he thinks is necessary to fight terrorism.....
Kumbaya, vanity posting newbie. Welcome to FR but please read the posting guidelines.
"Is There Something More Important Than Winning?"
Protecting our rights by preventing the Dems from cheating again.
You are so right! What kind of man conceeds then calls to take it back?
Amen! Most don't realize that because they don't read history. But, you are absolutely correct. Most complain about the negativity of recent elections. But, we've had some rhetoric in the past that makes this election pale by comparison.
What you're really contemplating is unilateral disarmament, by Republicans in the face of Democrats...they are not interested in compromise and comity. They want to accomplish in the courts what the cannot accomplish at the polls.
This isn't about 'winning' the election, this is about 'winning' a battle in defense of the Constitution. Imagine the Justices Kerry would appoint and you will understand the need to form hedgehogs and fight this battle to the last man, if that is what it takes.
"Winning isn't everything, it's the only thing." - Vince Lombardi
nothing more important than winning. it goes without saying that it must be done the right way.
Excellent response. Thank you.
No! Why do you think algorejr sent for mayor Dayly et al from Chicago, right away?
Where you can sip sherry, listen to Garrison Keeler, and hope they put the shackles on you last.
I am Bush supporter. He was a candidate at the time.
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